Aztecs' ex-defensive coordinator Elliott fills new role

San Diego State has created a new position for former football defensive coordinator Bob Elliott, who will help raise funds among former letter-winners and oversee the athletic department's courtesy car program for coaches and staff.

Elliott, 55, makes about $92,000 per year in his new role, Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel said – a decrease from the $194,000 he earned last year as a coach. He and most other coaches on head coach Chuck Long's staff were fired last year.

But Elliott and Long have continued employment at the university in other roles. Under the terms of Elliott's previous contract, he served at the pleasure of the university president. No expiration date was listed. Schemmel said the new position was necessary and was not created to resolve his contract, unlike Long's situation.

“It is a new position,” Schemmel said. “We really felt that especially in these times we needed additional experience and energy in the fundraising area.”

Elliott didn't return a call seeking comment.

Long's contract called for him to be reassigned to a different position if he were fired before his contract expired Dec. 31, 2010. He will make more than $700,000 per year until then, unless the two sides negotiate out of it. He currently does “projects” for SDSU athletics and has an office in a building across campus.

Schemmel said SDSU continues to have discussions with Long's agent on the matter. However, Long's agent, Jack Mills, said Tuesday there have been no discussions even though SDSU could save money by negotiating out of Long's contract.

“It's just been one of the strangest things I've ever encountered,” he said.

If Long rides out his contract, as Mills said he is prepared to do, SDSU will have paid Long more than $1.4 million since his firing as coach. SDSU also has about $500,000 in other costs related to the transition from Long to new coach Brady Hoke. Schemmel said private donations would cover transition costs, and about $1 million has been pledged for that purpose so far.

In February, SDSU athletics projected to be $500,000 over budget this fiscal year. Schemmel hopes increased fundraising will help by fiscal year's end June 30.

“We continue to ask people to be frugal and not spend money that isn't absolutely necessary to spend,” Schemmel said.